Recognizing basic finance skills that you need

Recognizing basic finance skills that you need

Blog Article

Learn some examples of financial organizations and what they look for in candidates.


Nowadays, technical finance skills are commonly associated with industry-specific positions, such as accounting, banking, underwriting, financial evaluation, or insurance brokering. As William Jackson of Bridgepoint Capital would know, such financial skills merely scratch the surface when analyzing the finance industry as a whole and what is required of every professional or applicant in this industry. This is because financial professionals are expected to have an excellent balance between soft and hard abilities that enable them to manage stakeholder relationships successfully. Although the finance sector is unique and each role requires different hard finance skills and experience levels, there are some skills that are considered essential across all roles in this dynamic sector. For example, being comfortable with numbers and data-driven analysis is absolutely up there as an important skill, as you will likely be working with numbers and statistical datasets as a finance specialist one way or another.


No matter what specific field you operate in, there are a few general finance skills that you will have embedded in your resume, as Edward Tilly of Clear Street would know. Accounting skills is one example of this. Nowadays, companies in the finance sector look for accounting backgrounds in entry-level candidates, or at least the ability to interpret financial statements and company reports. This does not mean you must have previous experience as a professional accountant, but rather proficiency in reading and interpreting financial records. This is because the conclusions that can be derived from such documents are crucial for executives and stakeholders when it comes to evaluating a company financial health. Moreover, since accounting knowledge is fundamental across a range of diverse financial positions in the industry, companies tend to offer competitive compensation for those that have professional accounting credentials or possess the necessary accounting abilities.


The finance industry in today's market is probably one of the most competitive fields out there, which is why you should develop the core abilities that are expected as a minimum in this fast-changing and highly competitive field. For instance, relationship-building abilities are probably some of the most crucial soft finance skills out there today. As Hugo Bedford of JM Finn would know, trusted connections are critical to success for finance leaders, particularly in times of instability or challenges. As a leader in a financial organization, it's very crucial to ensure that your relationships with your clients are solid, as these customers are essentially relying on you with their investments, and counting on you to make the best financial choices for them to grow their assets and wealth. As a result, building your key and long-term professional relationships with your stakeholders effectively requires time to cultivate confidence, respect, and authenticity with them.